Page 21 of Jared

“Luckily one of the teachers was a cat shifter and quickly figured out what was happening. She called the Council right away and they intervened.”

“What did his family say?”

Steve shrugged. “They must've been okay about it, as they went with him to the Sidhe Court so he could learn what it meant to be Fae.”

Jared gasped. “He went to Faerie?”

“Well, yeah,” Steve said. “Safer that way. They were pretty put out that they'd not known about him. All Fae children are supposed to be educated in the realm. Saves humans from accidentally being exposed to uncontrolled magic as full Fae can sometimes wield their powers before puberty. Halflings only later, and usually much more limited in scope.”

Jared stared hard at him, trying to discern if he was being played. He decided he wasn't. He clapped his hands together softly. “I do believe in faeries,” he whispered.

Steve looked at him oddly. “Um, okay then.” His wolf gave an inner head tilt, puzzled as well.

Jared flushed. “Hello? Peter Pan? Tinkerbell?”

“You say that to a Fae, you'll find more happening to you than water getting dumped on your head.”

“Good to know.”

“Need any help unpacking?”

“No, they did that too. I'll just rearrange stuff to where I want it after Desmond gets his stuff in there.”

“They'll probably be in and out of yours until late. How about a DVD?”

Jared sighed. “Yeah, okay.”

Steve smiled. Not the most ideal of circumstances, but a cuddle on the sofa while watching some vintage TV while eating popcorn and drinking beer sounds great. His wolf whined. I hear ya, buddy. We're one step closer. Patience.

“I'll pop us some corn in the microwave and grab us some beers,” he said, getting up off the sofa to go do so.

“Sounds good.” Jared followed him into the kitchen, reaching into a cupboard to pull out some bowls. “Got any other snacks?”

“Pretzels, I think. In that cabinet there,” Steve pointed to the one he meant.

“Cool. Hey, next time, we should make some party mix.”

“Sure, why not?” If party mix makes him happy, then party mix he shall have.

The microwave dinged and Steve waited a moment before removing the bag. He opened it, allowing the steam to escape, then poured the contents of the bag into one of the large bowls that Jared had set out. The other was already full of pretzels.

“Now for the beer,” Steve said.

“I'll grab the bowls,” Jared said, placing them on a tray he found propped up behind some canisters.

They sat down. “Oh, coasters!” Jared cried out, dismayed at the thought of putting rings on the coffee table.

So cute! Steve thought as he watched his mate fuss over their eating arrangements. He sat the beers on the coasters Jared placed down, then went over to his shelf full of DVDs. He's stressed, so something light and romantic. And cheesy. He likes cheesy as much as I do. Steve made his choice, pulling a box set out and sliding out a sleeve. He removed the first disc and placed it in the DVD player, placing the sleeve back in the box, which he sat on the shelf next to the player. He sat down next to Jared as the theme for The Love Boat began to play.

“Oh my God! Yes!” Jared giggled. He grabbed a handful of popcorn and settled back onto the sofa. Steve stretched his arm out behind him, taking a swig from his beer. Life is good, Steve thought. I should take him on a cruise for our honeymoon. Visit the Caribbean on a Princess Cruise, so it'll kinda be like the show.That'd be romantic, right?

Three beers later found Jared leaning against Steve, who nuzzled him behind his ear. Jared shivered, letting out a murmur of pleasure. Steve tugged Jared closer, turning them both so that Jared now reclined against him as they stretched out on the couch. After his fourth beer, Jared reluctantly stood up, making a desperate dash to the bathroom. “Sorry, gotta pee!” he gasped out. He returned, looking disconsolate when he found Steve standing up, making his way into the kitchen.

“Thought I'd clear the empties away,” he explained. “Then let me pay a visit in there as well, and after that we can settle back down and watch another episode if you want.”

Jared opened his mouth to agree, feeling surprised when he yawned instead. “Excuse me!” he said, chastened.

Steve laughed. “Been a long day. How abouts you shower and I'll loan you something to wear. You can crash here.”